It’s official: Arizona is No. 31 for states with marriage equality!
A federal judge ruled Friday, Oct. 17, that Arizona’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. In a short opinion, U.S. District Judge John Sedwick, a George H.W. Bush appointee, referenced the Ninth Circuit’s ruling in Idaho and Nevada, concluding that Arizona’s ban was substantially similar and thus must also be struck down.
Sedwick also declined to stay the decision, saying that “an appeal to the Ninth Circuit would be futile” and that the Supreme Court will likely “turn a deaf ear on any request for relief from the Ninth Circuit’s decision.” As reported earlier, Attorney General Tom Horne (R) had already indicated that he was prepared for this outcome.
Though marriage equality is currently on hold in Alaska pending an appeal there, this makes Arizona the 31st state where same-sex couples can legally marry.
HOT OFF THE PRESS
- From OkCupid to a sunrise mountain wedding
- A destination wedding in Mexico with cold fireworks and an LED neon drum show
- Lawryn and Deja’s Richmond, Virginia, wedding at The Renaissance
- Wondery and Danvas founder Hernan Lopez marries music supervisor Scott Velasquez in West Hollywood wedding
- Classic black and white wedding ideas
- Say Yes to the Dress celebrity Randy Fenoli is engaged
- Tara and Emma’s purple and ivory wedding at Berkeley City Club in Berkeley, California
- The 19th Explains: Why the Respect for Marriage Act doesn’t codify same-sex marriage rights